Russian Balalaika Trio (Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina and Alisa Egorova) performed 1 hour concert for kids and parents at the Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Avenue, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 on Wednesday, August 10th, 2016. The trio performed following dances and songs: Nanai dance "Нанаец",
Russian folk button accordion "Гармошка" introduction,
The Snowstorm, Russian folk dance "Метелица",
Russian folk instrument balalaika introduction "Камаринская",
Russian Chicken dance "Петух",
Russian Tongue Twisters Medley "Скороговорки",
Russian Percussian Orchestra interactive game "Трещётки",
Jewish wedding dance "Свечки",
Russian Romani Roma Gypsy song and dance "Цыганский",
Russian folk dance lesson "Урок танца",
Ukrainian folk song and dance "Украинский",
instrumental solo "Чардаш", and Russian Bear dance "Медведь".
ABOUT PERFORMERS:
About Elina Karokhina:
Elina Karokhina was born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia. She began her formal training at the Mussorgsky Music College of St. Petersburg and continued her training at N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory, earning a degree as an Orchestra Soloist. She continued her training at the Conservatory, which included a brief residency in Germany. After, she returned to her native St. Petersburg and completed her education, earning a Doctor of Musical Art Degree in the Balalaika. Following her graduation, she began working as a musician, both as a teacher and as a performer, teaching balalaika. Elina Karokhina served in the Russian Army in the Military Ensemble in the Northwest Order of Red Stars. She is a winner of International Music Competition in Cherepovets and a Holder of the First Place in Troyanovsky's Competition for musicians performing of traditional instruments in St. Petersburg, Russia.
As a balalaika soloist Elina has toured all over the world. She was a soloist of State Concert Russian Orchestra of Saint Petersburg under direction of Honored Performer of Russia Vladimir Popov (Russian: Государственный Русский концертный оркестр Санкт-Петербурга, Художественный руководитель и главный дирижер – Заслуженный деятель искусств России ВЛАДИМИР ПОПОВ.) When she moved to the United States in 2009 she was hired as a musicial director and soloist with the biggest professional Russian music, song and dance ensemble Barynya (New York). In January 2015 Elina Karokhina was selected to perform the balalaika part with Mariinsky Theatre directed by world-famous conductor Valery Gergiev in Rodion Shchedrin's opera "The Enchanted Wanderer" at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. In May 2016 she was hired to play several concerts at the Carnegie Hall in New York City with symphony orchestra, choir, and opera soloists as a soloist of "The Orchestra Rocks" production.
About Mikhail Smirnov:
Mikhail Smirnov was born in Moscow, Russia in 1966. He has been in the business of Russian folk dance and music for more than 25 years. Mikhail is an artistic director and founder of ensemble Barynya based in New York City, author of many articles about traditional Russian dance, music and instruments in English and Russian.
Mikhail received his Master's degree from the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. As a child, he was a member of the famous "Moscow Boys Chorus" - one of the most prestigious all-male choirs in Russia. Before coming to the United States in 1991, Mikhail was a soloist in a several Russian folk dance and music groups including the Moscow State Center for Russian song, "Russkaya Pesnya", under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina. In January 2009 Mikhail Smirnov and dancers of ensemble
Barynya were featured on national TV, NBC's "SUPERSTARS OF DANCE" - breathtaking international dance competition led by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance). This prestigious dance competition hosted by Michael Flatley ("Lord of the Dance") and Susie Castillo, a former Miss USA. Mikhail Smirnov was one of eight judges to decide which country will win. The show premiered on NBC network.
About Alisa Egorova:
Russian dancer Alisa started to perform with the Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya in 2012. Her first performance took place during the Barynya's "Russian Spectacular" School Assembly Tour 2012-2013. Alisa specializes in Russian, Gypsy, Ukrainian, Siberian, and Cossack dancing. She is also capable of performing the costumed charachters: Russian Bear, Gypsy Fortune Teller, Siberian Nanai Fighters.
12-20-2012. Montessori Elementary School, Yonkers, New York
On Thursday, December 20, 2012 (9:30am) Barynya Trio performed at the Montessori Elementary School 27 in Yonkers, New York. Cast: Mikhail Smirnov, Elina Karokhina, Erik Davletbaev.
